The prevalence and abundance of internal parasites in working horses autopsied in Poland.

This research investigated the types and prevalence of internal parasites found in the digestive tracts of 50 working horses in Poland. It exposed that 37 nematode species, two tapeworm species, and a species of botfly were present, with certain worm species being more common than others. The horses had not been treated with anthelmintics.

Research Methodology

• Researchers in this study dissected the digestive systems of 50 working horses from private farms in Poland, aiming to identify and quantify the types of internal parasites present.
• Their study covered a diversity of parasite species, including nematodes (roundworms), tapeworms, and botflies.

Findings and Analysis

• The research identified 37 different species of nematodes, two species of tapeworms, and one species of botfly across the samples.
• Within the nematode group, small strongyles (Cyathostomes) were notably prevalent. The study recorded multiple species of these worms, with each showing a different site preference in the horse’s digestive tract. There were thirteen cyathostome species noted that preferred the ventral colon, five preferred the dorsal colon, and three favored the caecum.
• The research brought to light a kind of nematode known as Cylicocyclus triramosus that had not been previously recognized in Poland.
• When looking at large strongyles (Strongylinae), Delafondia vulgaris was the most common, with a prevalence of 74%. However, it had low abundance, indicating that it was widespread among the horses, but the individual numbers of this parasite were low in the horses it infected.
• Other common parasites included Parascaris equorum (a roundworm, discovered in 26% of the horses), and Oxyuris equi (a pinworm, found in 36% of the horses).
• Of the less prevalent parasites, Strongyloides westeri was found in 4% of the horses, Habronema majus in 16%, and Habronema muscae in 8%. The two Habronema species were previously unknown in Poland.
• Even though tapeworm infection was rare, with both Anoplocephala magna and Anoplocephala perfoliata each found in just 4% of the horses, botfly larvae were detected in 40% of the subjects.
• The farms from which the horses came had not used any anthelmintics, drugs designed to treat parasitic worm infestations.

Conclusion

• The research provides valuable data about parasite prevalence, variety, and their locations within the horse’s digestive system in Poland.
• With the identification of new species and the recognition that horses were not previously treated with anthelmintics, these findings could be used to guide future treatment and prevention strategies.